It's a big deal.
Tune in to Monday's Up To Speed to see all the great work happening at our Texas office. Plus, insight into the new Pixel 6a and our newest retail store.
Full Transparency
Our editorial transparency tool uses blockchain technology to permanently log all changes made to official releases after publication. However, this post is not an official release and therefore not tracked. Visit our learn more for more information.
Happy Friday, V Team! On today’s edition of Up To Speed Live, host Raquel Wilson shared the following updates:
- Monday: Andy showcased how Verizon continues to make its mark in Europe and beyond, and introduced us to some of the V Teamers who are helping us do just that.
- Tuesday: V Teamer Rocio Llanos-Foots hailed Verizon’s Tuition Assistance Program, Employee Assistance Program and Back-up Care Advantage Program for helping her thrive as a mom, even at the height of the pandemic.
- Thursday: We celebrated V Teamer Tyrone Hicks, whose volunteer coaching helped propel his son’s flag-football team to a berth in next month’s Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando.
Annual Candlelight Vigil
It’s National Police Week, and tonight the Verizon Frontline team will again participate in the 34th annual National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund’s Annual Candlelight Vigil. More than 450 officers who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2021 will be honored during tonight’s ceremony at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Maggie Hallbach, Vice President of Business Development for Public Sector, elaborated on our involvement as premiere sponsors for the event, noting Director of Public Safety Operations Cory Davis and Manager of Account Services Lori Cahill will represent Verizon at the vigil.
To watch the livestream of the event, click this link tonight, starting at 8 p.m. ET.
New Mexico wildfires data relief
The Verizon Frontline Response Team has deployed throughout Arizona and New Mexico to provide mission-critical communications capabilities to thousands of first responders who are leading local firefighting efforts.
Verizon consumers (prepaid and postpaid) and small-business customers most affected by the wildfires in New Mexico started receiving unlimited calling, texting and data May 11, and will continue to receive it through May 17.
In Glorieta, N.M., we’ve also set up a Wireless Emergency Communication Center (WECC), a generator-powered mobile trailer equipped with free WiFi, mobile-device charging stations and internet-connected laptops. It’s available for local residents to contact family, friends and others while they are away from home.
Our efforts to assist both the first-responders and residents affected by these wildfires were highlighted this week by New Mexico’s ABC affiliate, KOAT-TV.
Ukraine relief continues
Speaking of our response to crises, we continue to waive international calling, texting and data roaming charges for consumer and small-business wireless customers to and from Ukraine, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
Residential landline customers will also see waived international charges to those countries. Customers do not have to take any action to take advantage of these offers.
People.ai CEO Oleg Rogynskyy, who has family and friends in Ukraine, recently told Verizon Senior VP of Industrial IoT and Automotive T.J. Fox about how relieved Oleg felt upon learning about Verizon’s text and data relief efforts: “The friction of reaching my friends in Ukraine at that moment just went away, like you could just pick up the phone and call.”
For more ways to support Ukraine, visit our Verizon Volunteer Portal.
Affordable Connectivity
In today’s world, connectivity is critical, and Verizon is taking a stand to ensure cost barriers won’t stand between customers and the most reliable home internet.
That’s why Verizon supports the Federal Communications Commission’s initiative to close the digital divide by providing low-cost internet to customers in need. Now, more than 11.5 million low-income homes are receiving support through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
With Verizon’s offering, ACP-qualifying customers have free access to Verizon Fios’ fiber optic internet, with speeds starting at 200 Mbps for downloads and uploads — the fastest service offered by any provider. And unlike other providers who offer ACP, we are also removing hidden cost barriers, with no extra fees, no contracts and no router costs.
To confirm eligibility for ACP, check out ACPBenefit.org. Once approved, customers can complete enrollment in ACP by clicking here.
Mental Health Awareness Month
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, an important time to reflect on one of the most important aspects of our overall wellness: our mental health.
Be sure to check out the Mindfulness Pathway on the L&D portal, and click on “Journey to Mindfulness” to access the Health and Wellness team’s daily meditation classes.
New store in South Kendall
Great news, V Team: We’ve expanded our family! We recently opened a brand-new store in the South Kendall neighborhood of Miami!
This new location is full of V Teamers excited to tell everyone about our exciting new promo offer, all things 5G, and all kinds of fantastic accessories, plans and goodies. If you’re in or near the Miami area, stop by and say hello to our friends in South Kendall.
Google Pixel 6a
Google’s family of amazing Pixel smartphones has grown with the addition of the new, affordable Pixel 6a, coming to Verizon July 28, with preorders kicking off on July 21.
With a starting retail price of $499.99 – or $13.88 per month for 36 months through Verizon Device Payment – the Google Pixel 6a will be available in three colors: sage, chalk and charcoal.
The Pixel 6a offers access to the full power of Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband, incredible cameras with Super Res Zoom, dual closed-chamber stereo speakers, and more. Plus, the Pixel 6a pairs perfectly with the Pixel Buds Pro, Google’s premium wireless earbuds, which will be available through Verizon on July 28.
Keep an eye on our website for more Google Pixel 6a information, including the preorder start time and our latest and greatest Pixel offers.
BlueJeans Awards
The 2022 BlueJeans by Verizon Customer Awards are in! This year, once again, the best of the best competed in four categories. And the winners are:
- Most Successful Work Hybrid Transformation: Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
- Biggest Impact: Penn Med
- Best Use of BlueJeans Events: Red Hat
- Most Innovative Use Case: The Wharton School
Congrats to this year’s winners!
Get your cowboy hats ready!
From New England to original England, we’ve been following Andy’s recent adventures to witness the global impact of Verizon – and meet our amazing colleagues along the way!
This Monday at noon ET, tune in to watch Andy (clap, clap, clap, clap) deep in the heart of Texas, where he’ll be showcasing some of the great work of our Texas V Teamers!
Have a great weekend, V Team!
If you have any questions, email them to live@verizon.com.
